On Thursday, July 17, Chicago will be a focal point of the John Lewis “Good Trouble” Day of Action, a national nonpartisan effort. We will gather at Daley Plaza at 5:30 p.m. to honor the legacy of civil rights hero John Lewis, joining Americans across the country in carrying forward his fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all.

On July 14, the Chicago City Council approved an ordinance expanding the powers of the Office of the Inspector General. LWV Chicago believes in the need for strong and independent Inspector General, empowered to investigate alleged wrongdoing and conduct audits to improve city systems.

As natural disasters have disrupted life this summer, instead of being on the forefront of positive change, the federal government is doing everything in its power to roll back environmental protections. What can you do?

Since 1981, this award has been presented to a member who has demonstrated extraordinary long-term dedication and effectiveness in League work.

Founded after the ouster of its last king, the Roman Republic introduced an innovative political system rooted in law, civic virtue, and checks on individual power.

Our president reflects on the state of our League, as well as on the state of our democracy.

At our Annual Meeting on June 28, we will discuss which issues we will prioritize for advocacy and education in the coming year.

At our Annual Meeting on June 28, the Budget Committee will present an overview of LWV Chicago’s financial activities and answer questions regarding the budget.

In the popular imagination, Sparta is often portrayed as the antithesis of Athenian democracy: a militarized, rigidly hierarchical state ruling an austere society. But the truth of Spartan government and politics is more complicated—and more instructive.

LWV Chicago joined thousands of protestors on June 14 to rally and march through downtown Chicago in rejection of authoritarianism.

In 508 BCE, visionary statesman Cleisthenes formally declared all freeborn Athenians to be citizens, giving them unprecedented power and a new sense of civic unity. Thus began the world’s first known democracy — an experiment in government by direct popular participation.

The 2025 Illinois state legislative session wrapped on June 1, and it was a bruising one for the climate. Some environmental protection bills are off to the governor to sign, but others were stalled at the last minute.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a town hall hosted by my own representative in Congress. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of direct dialogue between elected officials and their constituents.

At our Annual Meeting on June 28, LWV Chicago members will vote on whether to proceed with a study to reevaluate our position on mayoral elections.

See the Bylaws Committee’s recommended changes to LWV Chicago’s Bylaws, to be voted on at our Annual Meeting on June 28.

The Board members serving new terms will be elected at the Annual Meeting. Learn about who is in the running!

More than fifty years after Watergate, the League has once again sounded the alarm about rising attacks on democratic norms and the corrosion of checks and balances. As we face a new era of constitutional strain, we should draw strength from our history.

That is how large the solar park is in central Illinois! It offsets power usage in Chicago’s airports and every firehouse, police district, library and city-owned building.

We’re fighting to pass Illinois legislation that would impose a ban on single-use polystyrene foam foodware in Illinois—and it’s up for a vote on the House floor next week.

All over the world, people are realizing that regenerating our soil and food systems (with compost!) is the path forward. Celebrate Compost Awareness Week May 4–10.